Imaging device, display control device, display device, printing control device, and printing device

ABSTRACT

In an imaging device, a display control device, and a display device which are operable to conveniently display reduced images in accordance with a motion and an attitude at the time of shooting, a motion detection section detects the motion of the imaging device during continuous shooting. A recording section records reduced images of the shot images obtained by the imaging device, and motion information on the motion of the imaging device corresponding to the reduced images. An image extraction section extracts a plurality of the reduced images of the consecutively shooting from among the recorded reduced images. An image display control section causes a display section to display the extracted reduced images. An image display control section arranges the extracted reduced images in accordance with the motion information and causes the display section to display the extracted reduced images.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/915,188, filed on Nov. 21, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,911,511, whichis a U.S. National Phase under 35 U.S.C. §371 of InternationalApplication No. PCT/JP2006/301974, filed on Feb. 6, 2006, which in turnclaims the benefit of Japanese Application No. 2005-151912, filed on May25, 2005, the disclosures of which Applications are incorporated byreference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a display method of an image shot by animaging device, and more particularly to an imaging device, a displaycontrol device, a display device, and a printing device which control adisplay method of a shot image in accordance with motion information ofthe imaging device.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, an imaging sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device)and a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor), and a signalprocessing device are increasingly improved in terms of integrationdensity and come to be available inexpensively. Accordingly, by usingsuch an imaging sensor and a processing device, a digital still cameraand a digital video camera (hereinafter referred to as a “digitalcamera”), which are capable of converting an optical image of an objectinto an electrical image signal and outputting the same are rapidlygrowing popular.

Many of the digital cameras have small-size display devices, and havefunctions of displaying the shot image one by one and displaying a listof a plurality of shot images (hereinafter referred to as a thumbnaildisplay). Aiming for a further improved display method, a proposal hasbeen made, for example, in which a shooting attitude of a digital cameraat the time of shooting is detected and the shot image, which is eithera vertically shot image or a horizontally shot image, is displayed basedon the shooting attitude.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-45354

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In the case where a photographer follows and shoots a moving object suchas an automobile or an airplane, the photographer performs a consecutiveshooting while moving a digital camera in a horizontal, or a vertical,or a diagonal direction (hereinafter referred to as “panning”).Conventionally, in a thumbnail display, a plurality of images includingimages which have been consecutively shot through panning (hereinafterreferred to as “panning” images) are arranged in a predetermineddirection in order of a shot date and time.

It is difficult for the photographer to view a conventional thumbnaildisplay in the case described below. Specifically, in the case where anarranging direction of the images and a moving direction of the objectduring the shooting do not correspond to each other, an order ofactually shot scenes and that of the thumbnail display are differentfrom each other. Further, in the case where panning images are displayedin the thumbnail display together with normally shot images or otherpanning images in a mixed manner, the thumbnail display is not relatedto the actually shot scenes.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an imagingdevice, a display control device, and a display device which display thepanning images in the thumbnail display in accordance with a motion ofan imaging device at the time of shooting, thereby enabling a convenientthumbnail display which corresponds to a motion of the object at thetime of the shooting.

Solution to the Problems

An object of the present invention is attained by an imaging devicehaving a configuration described below. An imaging device according tothe present invention is operable to output an optical image of anobject as an electrical image signal, and comprises:

display means for displaying an image in accordance with the imagesignal;

an imaging optical system for forming the optical image of the object;

imaging means for receiving the optical image which is formed by theimaging optical system and for converting the optical image into theelectrical image signal;

motion detection means for detecting a motion of the imaging deviceduring continuous shooting;

recording means for recording reduced images and motion information, thereduced images corresponding to shot images which are obtained by theimaging means, and the motion information indicating the motion of theimaging device, which has been detected by the motion detection means,for each of the reduced image;

image extraction means for extracting a plurality of reduced images ofconsecutive shooting from among the reduced images recorded in therecording means; and

image display control means for causing the display means to display thereduced images extracted by the image extraction means, wherein

-   -   the image display control means arranges the reduced images        extracted by the image extraction control means in accordance        with the motion information causes the display means to display        the reduced images.

According to the above-described configuration, at the time of athumbnail display, the plurality of reduced images of consecutiveshooting are displayed in accordance with the motion of the imagingdevice at the time of the shooting, whereby it is possible to provide aconvenient thumbnail display which corresponds to a motion of the objectat the time of the shooting.

Effect of the Invention

As above described, an imaging device, a display control device, adisplay device, a print control device, and a printing device of thepresent invention are operable to detect the motion of the imagingdevice at the time of shooting, and to record information of thedetected motion together with corresponding shot images, therebyenabling the extraction of images which have been shot in a givenshooting attitude. Further, when a plurality of reduced images of theconsecutive shooting are to be displayed in thumbnailed form, display isperformed in accordance with a motion of the imaging device at the timeof the shooting, whereby it is possible to provide a convenientthumbnail display which corresponds to the motion of the object at thetime of the shooting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera,which is an imaging device according to embodiment 1 of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an outline drawing of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image blurringcompensation mechanism of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating panning mode signals of respectivepanning modes of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of theimage compensation mechanism of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an attitude of the image blurringcompensation mechanism shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of current amounts supplied tocoils in each attitude shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing values of an attitude determination signalcorresponding to respective shooting attitudes of the digital camerashown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a managing method of shot image filesin the digital camera shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a recoding method of shot images in thedigital camera shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display method for displaying theshot images on a display section of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a thumbnail display of shotimages in the digital camera shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an image selection menu displayed on adisplay section of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a case where only consecutively shotimages are displayed in thumbnailed form on the display section of thedigital camera shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a case where only horizontally shotimages or only vertically shot images are displayed in thumbnailed formon the display section of the digital camera shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a case where thumbnail images aredisplayed on a display section of a digital camera, which is an imagingdevice according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a case where vertical thumbnail imagesand horizontal thumbnail images are displayed, in a mixed manner, on thedisplay section according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an imaging device and a display deviceaccording to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an imaging device and a printing deviceaccording to embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a display control device, a print controldevice, and a display/print control device according to embodiment 5 ofthe present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE CHARACTERS

-   -   1 digital camera    -   1 a housing    -   2 lens    -   3 microcomputer    -   3A signal processing section    -   4 imaging sensor    -   5 CCD drive control section    -   6 analog signal processing section    -   7 A/D conversion section    -   8 digital signal processing section    -   9 buffer memory    -   10 image compressing section    -   11 image recording control section    -   12 image recording section    -   13 image display control section    -   14A shooting attitude detection section    -   14 x yawing current value detection section    -   14 y pitching current value detection section    -   15A motion compensation section    -   15 x yawing drive control section    -   15 y pitching drive control section    -   16 position detection section    -   17A motion detection section    -   17 x yawing angular velocity sensor    -   17 y pitching angular velocity sensor    -   18 x, 18 y A/D conversion section    -   19 x, 19 y D/A conversion section    -   20 image blurring compensation mechanism    -   21 pitching holding frame    -   22 yawing holding frame    -   23 a, 23 b pitching shaft    -   24 x, 24 y coil    -   25 fixing frame    -   26 a, 26 b yawing shaft    -   27 magnet    -   28 yoke    -   29 x yawing actuator    -   29 y pitching actuator    -   30 light-emitting element    -   31 photo-detecting element    -   35 power switch    -   36 shutter operation section    -   37 shooting/reproduction switching operation section    -   38 cross operation key    -   39 MENU setting operation section    -   40 SET operation section    -   41 shutter control section    -   42 shutter drive motor    -   50 internal memory    -   51 removable memory    -   55 display section    -   57 zoom operation section    -   60 panning mode signal    -   61 attitude determination signal    -   65 image selection menu    -   65 a consecutively shot image 1 selection button    -   65 b consecutively shot image 2 selection button    -   65 c horizontal image selection button    -   65 d vertical image selection button    -   70 display device    -   71 printing device    -   75 cable    -   76 cable    -   81 removable memory insertion means    -   82 display control device    -   83 print control device    -   84 display/print control device    -   90 shot image folder    -   91 consecutively shot image folder    -   92 normal image folder    -   93 a horizontal image folder    -   93 b vertical image folder    -   94 a consecutively shot image folder #1    -   94 b consecutively shot image folder #2    -   94 c consecutively shot image folder #3    -   95 a, 95 b consecutively shot image file    -   96 image file    -   L imaging optical system    -   L1 first lens unit    -   L2 second lens unit    -   L3 third lens unit

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1

With reference to FIG. 1, an imaging device according to embodiment 1 ofthe present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, theimaging device is configured as a digital camera 1. The digital camera 1includes an imaging optical system L, a microcomputer 3, an imagingsensor 4, a CCD drive control section 5, an analog signal processingsection 6, an A/D conversion section 7, a digital signal processingsection 8, a buffer memory 9, an image compressing section 10, an imagerecording control section 11, an image recording section 12, an imagedisplay control section 13, a power switch 35, a shutter operationsection 36, a shooting/reproduction switching operation section 37, across operation key 38, a MENU setting operation section 39, a SEToperation section 40, a shutter control section 41, a shutter drivemotor 42, and a display section 55.

The imaging optical system L is an optical system including three lensunits L1, L2, and L3. A first lens unit L1 moves in an optical axisdirection, whereby focusing is performed, and a third lens unit L3 movesin the optical axis direction, whereby zooming is performed. A secondlens unit L2 is a compensation lens unit, and plays a role ofcompensating a motion of an image by moving on a plane perpendicular tothe optical axis so as to decenter the optical axis.

When a mechanical vibration or a jiggle caused by a photographer isapplied to the digital camera 1, light emitted from an object to a lensis misaligned with respect to an optical axis of an imaging unitconsisting of a lens and the imaging sensor 4. Therefore, an imageobtained with the imaging sensor 4 will be a blurred image. A preventivemechanism provided against this is called “image blurring compensationmechanism”. Further, in the present embodiment, the image blurringcompensation mechanism can be also used as attitude detection means andpanning mode detection means of the digital camera 1. A structure and anoperation thereof will be described later.

The microcomputer 3 receives various signals outputted from the powerswitch 35, the shutter operation section 36, the shooting/reproductionswitching operation section 37, the cross operation key 38, the MENUsetting operation section 39, and the SET operation section 40. Themicrocomputer 3 controls the whole of various control sections of thedigital camera 1 by generating various control signals based on thereceived signals.

In response to a timing signal generated by an operation of the shutteroperation section 36, the shutter control section 41 drives the shutterdrive motor 42 in accordance with a control signal outputted by themicrocomputer 3, and then actuates a shutter.

The imaging sensor 4 is drive-controlled by the CCD drive controlsection 5, and converts an optical image formed by an imaging opticalsystem L into an electrical signal. The imaging sensor 4 is preferablyconfigured with a CCD, and may be configured with a CMOS.

An image signal outputted by the imaging sensor 4 is processed throughthe analog signal processing section 6, the A/D conversion section 7,the digital signal processing section 8, the buffer memory 9, and theimage compressing section 10, in sequence. In the analog signalprocessing section 6, the image signal outputted by the imaging sensor 4is subject to analog signal processing such as gamma processing. The A/Dconversion section 7 converts an analog signal outputted by the analogsignal processing section 6 into a digital signal. In the digital signalprocessing section 8, the image signal, which is a digital signal,converted by the A/D conversion section 7 is subject to digital signalprocessing such as noise reduction and edge enhancement. The buffermemory 9 is a RAM (Random Access Memory), and temporarily records theimage signal processed by the digital signal processing section 8.

Further, the image signal recorded in the buffer memory 9 is processedthrough the image compressing section 10 and the image recording section12 in sequence. Specifically, the image signal stored in the buffermemory 9 is transmitted to the image compressing section 10 inaccordance with a command issued by the image recording control section11. Data of the image signal is compressed to a predetermined size bythe image compressing section 10. In this case, the image signal iscompressed, at a predetermined rate, into a smaller data size than theoriginal data. As an exemplary compression method, a JPEG (JointPhotographic Experts Group) method or the like may be used. The imagecompressing section 10 concurrently generates a reduced image signalwhich is used for a thumbnail display or the like and corresponds to ashot image. Then, the compressed image signal and the reduced imagesignal are transmitted to the image recording section 12.

The image recording section 12 incluldes an internal memory 50 (notshown), which is provided to a body of the digital camera 1, and/or aremovable memory 51. In accordance with a command outputted by the imagerecording control section 11, the image recording section 12interrelates and records the image signal, the reduced image signalcorresponding thereto, and predetermined information to be recorded. Thepredetermined information to be recorded together with the image signalincludes a date when an image was shot, focal length information,shutter speed information, aperture value information, shooting modeinformation, attitude of the digital camera 1, and panning modeinformation, which are described later.

The image display control section 13 is controlled by the control signaloutputted by the microcomputer 3. In accordance with a command outputtedby the image display control section 13, the display section 55 displaysthe image signal recorded in the image recording section 12 or in thebuffer memory 9 as a visible image. As display modes, the displaysection 55 has a mode for displaying only an image signal and a mode fordisplaying information at the time of shooting of the image signal. Theinformation at the time of shooting of the image signal includes thefocal length information, the shutter speed information, the aperturevalue information, the shooting mode information, focusing stateinformation, and the attitude information. These pieces of informationare displayed by operating the MENU setting operation section 39.

With reference to FIG. 2, a shape and a configuration of the digitalcamera 1 will be described specifically. FIG. 2( a) shows a top surfaceof the digital camera 1, and FIG. 2( b) shows a back surface of thedigital camera 1. As shown in FIG. 2( a), on a front surface of ahousing 1 a of the digital camera 1, an imaging optical system includinga lens 2 is provided. Further, on a top surface of the housing 1 a, theshutter operation section 36 and a zoom operation section 57 areprovided.

As shown in FIG. 2( b), on a back surface of the housing 1 a, the powerswitch 35, the shooting/reproduction switching operation section 37, thecross operation key 38, the MENU setting operation section 39, the SEToperation section 40, and the display section 55 including a LCD monitorare provided.

The zoom operation section 57 is rotatably located in the vicinity ofthe shutter operation section 36 so as to be coaxial with the shutteroperation section 36. The power switch 35 is an operation member forturning the power of the digital camera 1 ON/OFF. Theshooting/reproduction switching operation section 37 is an operationmember for switching between a shooting mode and a reproduction mode,and every time a user rotates a lever thereof, mode switching isperformed. Under the condition that the shooting mode is selected,imaging optical system L is controlled by the microcomputer 3 so as tobecome telephoto when the zoom operation section 57 is rotated to theright direction and so as to be wide-angle when the zoom operationsection 57 is rotated to the left direction.

The MENU setting operation section 39 is an operation member for causingthe display section 55 to display various menus. The cross operation key38 is an operation member for selecting, based on the user's pressing ofany one portion of up, down, right and left portions thereof, a desiredmenu from among the various operation menus, which are displayed on thedisplay section 55 in accordance with the user's operation of the MENUsetting operation section 39. When any one of the various operationmenus is selected based on the user's operation of the cross operationkey 38, the microcomputer 3 issues a command for execution. The SEToperation section 40 is an operation member which is operated by theuser in order to return the display of the various operation menus to astate prior to such display.

With reference to FIG. 3, a control system of an image blurringcompensation mechanism 20 of the above-described digital camera 1 willbe described. In FIG. 3, the control system of the image blurringcompensation mechanism 20 includes a motion compensation section 15A, ashooting attitude detection section 14A, a motion detection section 17A,and a signal processing section 3A. The motion compensation section 15Acontrols an optical axis of imaging light.

The motion compensation section 15A includes the second lens unit L2, ayawing drive control section 15 x, a pitching drive control section 15y, and a position detection section 16. The second lens unit L2 is acompensation lens unit which plays a role of compensating a motion of animage by moving on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis anddecentering the optical axis. The second lens unit L2 isdrive-controlled in two directions, i.e., an X direction and a Ydirection, which are perpendicular to the optical axis AX, by the yawingdrive control section 15 x and the pitching drive control section 15 y.Hereinafter, the X direction is referred to as a “yawing direction”, andthe Y direction is referred to as a “pitching direction”. The positiondetection section 16 is detection means for detecting a position of thesecond lens unit L2, and forms a feedback control loop for controllingthe second lens unit L2 in combination with the yawing drive controlsection 15 x and the pitching drive control section 15 y.

The shooting attitude detection section 14A includes a yawing currentvalue detection section 14 x and a pitching current value detectionsection 14 y. The yawing current value detection section 14 x detects avalue of a current which is applied to a coil when a yawing actuator 29x to be described later is actuated. In a similar manner, the pitchingcurrent value detection section 14 y detects a value of a current whichis applied to a coil when a pitching actuator 29 y is actuated.

The motion detection section 17A includes a yawing angular velocitysensor 17 x and a pitching angular velocity sensor 17 y. The yawingangular velocity sensor 17 x and the pitching angular velocity sensor 17y are sensors for detecting a motion of the imaging device including theimaging optical system L due to a hand blur or other vibration, anddetect motions in two directions, i.e., in the yawing direction and inthe pitching direction, respectively. Note that the yawing angularvelocity sensor 17 x and the pitching angular velocity sensor 17 y aregenerically referred to as angular velocity sensors 17 x and 17 y. Theangular velocity sensors 17 x and 17 y use, as a reference, their ownoutputs outputted when the digital camera 1 is in a static state andoutput positive or negative angular velocity signals depending on thedirection in which the digital camera 1 moves. The outputted signals areprocessed by the signal processing section 3A.

The signal processing section 3A includes the microcomputer 3, A/Dconversion sections 18 x and 18 y, and D/A conversion sections 19 x and19 y. The angular velocity signals outputted by the angular velocitysensors 17 x and 17 y are subject to filtering processing, amplificationprocessing and the like, converted into digital signals by the A/Dconversion sections 18 x and 18 y, respectively, and then provided tothe microcomputer 3. The microcomputer 3 causes the angular signals,which are outputted by the angular velocity sensors 17 x and 17 y andthen obtained via the A/D conversion sections 18 x and 18 y, to besubject to various types of processes such as filtering, an integratingprocess, phase compensation, gain adjustment, clipping and the like.

Based on the above-described various types of processes, themicrocomputer 3 calculates a drive-control amount of the second lensunit L2, which is necessary for motion compensation, thereby generatingcontrol signals. The generated control signals are, respectively,outputted to the yawing drive control section 15 x and the pitchingdrive control section 15 y via the D/A conversion sections 19 x and 19y. The yawing drive control section 15 x and the pitching drive controlsection 15 y drive the second lens unit L2 in accordance with thecontrol signals, thereby compensating a motion of an image.

Based on the fact that a situation in which the angular velocity has aconstant sign and is equal to or greater than a predetermined level iscontinuously kept while panning is performed, the signal processingsection 3A generates a panning mode signal 60 illustrated in FIG. 4depending on whether or not the angular velocity signals outputted bythe angular velocity sensors 17 x and 17 y are continuously equal to orgreater than a predetermined for a predetermined time period.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a specific configuration of the imageblurring compensation mechanism 20 will be described. As shown in thedrawing, the image blurring compensation mechanism 20 includes apitching holding frame 21, a yawing holding frame 22, a fixing frame 25,the yawing actuator 29 x, the pitching actuator 29 y, a light-emittingelement 30, and a photo-detecting element 31.

The pitching holding frame 21 has coils 24 x and 24 y. The second lensunit L2 and the light-emitting element 30 are fixed to the pitchingholding frame 21. The pitching holding frame 21 is coupled to the yawingholding frame 22 via two pitching shafts 23 a and 23 b so as to beslidable in the Y direction. The yawing holding frame 22 is coupled tothe fixing frame 25 via yawing shafts 26 a and 26 b so as to be slidablein the X direction.

The yawing actuator 29 x has a magnet 27 x, and a yoke 28 x, and iscoupled to the fixing frame 25. In a similar manner, the pitchingactuator 29 y has a magnet 27 y and a yoke 28 y, and is coupled to thefixing frame 25. The photo-detecting element 31 is fixed to the fixingframe 25, receives light emitted from the light-emitting element 30, anddetects two-dimensional position coordinates.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, a current value detection method,in which the yawing current value detection section 14 x and pitchingcurrent value detection section 14 y are used, will be described. FIG. 6shows an example of attitudes of the image blurring compensationmechanism 20. Specifically, FIG. 6( a) shows an attitude of the imageblurring compensation mechanism 20 at the time of shooting in ahorizontal shooting attitude, and FIG. 6( b) shows an attitude of theimage blurring compensation mechanism 20 at the time of the shooting ina vertical shooting attitude. FIG. 7 shows the amounts of the currentssupplied to the coils in each of the shooting attitudes.

In the case of the horizontal shooting attitude as shown in FIG. 6( a),a weight of each of the second lens unit L2, the pitching holding frame21, the coils 24 x and 24 y, and the yawing holding frame 22 is appliedin the Y direction, which is the gravity direction. In this case, thesecond lens unit L2 needs to be supported toward the optical axis so asto obtain an appropriate image. Accordingly, an electromagnetic forceneeds to be generated so as to support a self-weight of the second lensunit L2. In order to generate a necessary electromagnetic force, acurrent Iy1 is supplied to the coil 24 y. On the other hand, in the Xdirection, since it is not necessary to consider a force to support theself-weight of the second lens unit L2, a value of a current Ix2supplied to the coil 24 x is smaller than the value of the current Iy1supplied to the coil 24 y.

In the case of the vertical shooting attitude, which is rotated aboutthe optical axis by 90 degrees from the horizontal shooting attitude asshown in FIG. 6( b), the weight of the each of the second lens unit L2,the pitching holding frame 21, the coils 24 x and 24 y, and the yawingholding frame 22 is applied in the X direction, which is the gravitydirection. In this case, the second lens unit L2 needs to be supportedtoward the optical axis. Therefore, the electromagnetic force to supporta self-weight of the yawing holding frame 22 in addition to theself-weight of the second lens unit L2 needs to be generated in the Xdirection.

Accordingly, in order to generate a necessary electromagnetic force, acurrent Ix1 is supplied to the coil 24 x. In consideration of theself-weight of the yawing holding frame 22, a value of the current Ix1is larger than a value of the current Iy1 supplied to the coil 24 y inthe case of the horizontal shooting attitude. On the other hand, in theY direction, it is not necessary to consider a force to support theself-weight of the second lens unit L2 toward the optical axis, and thusa value of a current Iy2 supplied to the coil 24 y is smaller than thevalue of the current Ix1 supplied to the coil 24 x.

As above described, the value of each of the currents Ix1 and Iy1supplied to each of the coils 24 x and 24 y is determined depending onthe shooting attitude of the digital camera 1. In other words, theshooting attitude of each of the image blurring compensation mechanism20 and the digital camera 1 is determined by detecting the value of thecurrent passing through each of the coils. Therefore, it is possible touse the image blurring compensation mechanism 20 not only as a functionfor preventing image blurring but also as means for detecting theattitude of the digital camera 1.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, an operation of the digitalcamera 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8shows values of attitude determination signal 61 corresponding torespective shooting attitudes. When shooting, the photographer turns thepower switch 35 ON, and turns the shooting/reproduction switchingoperation section 37 to the shooting mode. At the result, the digitalcamera 1 is shifted to a shooting state. After the shift to the shootingstate, hand blur or vibration applied to the digital camera 1 isdetected by the angular velocity sensors 17 x and 17 y.

The microcomputer 3 provides a command signal to the yawing drivecontrol section 15 x and the pitching drive control section 15 y so asto cancel the generated vibration such as hand blur. A currentresponding to the command signal is supplied to each of the coils 24 xand 24 y of the pitching holding frame 21. Due to a magnetic circuitwhich is formed by the supplied current and the actuators 29 x and 29 y,the pitching holding frame 21 moves on a plane defined by the Xdirection and the Y direction (hereinafter abbreviated as “XY-plane”)which are respectively perpendicular to the optical axis AX.

Further, a position of the pitching holding frame 21 is detected highlyaccurately by using the photo-detecting element 31. In other words,image blurring compensation mechanism 20 causes the second lens unit L2to move on the XY-plane perpendicular to the optical axis AX.Accordingly, the photographer can compensate an image which enters intothe imaging sensor 4 through the imaging optical system L, and thusshoot a high quality image while suppressing image blurring.

The shooting attitude of the digital camera 1 is determined as follows.The horizontal shooting attitude is set as a reference of the attitudeof the digital camera 1, and the angle in this case is set as 0 degree.Accordingly, the digital camera 1 in the vertical shooting attitudecorresponds to a state where the attitude thereof is rotated about theoptical axis AX by 90 degrees from the state of the horizontal attitude.

A case where the photographer shoots a horizontally long object, such asa landscape, in the horizontal shooting attitude will be described. Theattitude of the digital camera 1 is determined based on the values ofthe currents detected by the yawing current value detection section 14 xand the pitching current value detection section 14 y. In FIG. 7, in thecase of shooting in the horizontal shooting attitude, i.e., in a0-degree attitude, the values the current Ix2 and the current Iy1respectively passing through the coil 24 x and the coil 24 y of theimage blurring compensation mechanism 20 are detected by the yawingcurrent value detection section 14 x and the pitching current valuedetection section 14 y, respectively. Based on the values of thecurrents, the microcomputer 3 determines that the attitude of thedigital camera 1 is the horizontal shooting attitude.

In this situation, when the photographer presses the shutter operationsection 36, the object is shot. An image of the shot object is recordedin the image recording section 12. As shown in FIG. 8, the imagerecording control section 11 adds an attitude determination signal 61(0), which indicates that the shooting attitude of the digital camera 1is 0 degree, to an image signal outputted from the buffer memory 9. Theattitude determination signal 61 is recorded in a header or a footerpart of the image signal, for example. With regard to timing, theattitude determination signal 61 may be recorded either in the buffermemory 9 or in the image recording section 12.

On the other hand, in the case where the photographer shoots avertically long object such as human beings in the vertical shootingattitude, the attitude of the digital camera 1 is determined, based onthe values of the currents detected by the yawing current valuedetection section 14 x and the pitching current value detection section14 y, in the same manner as the case of the horizontal shootingattitude. As shown in FIG. 7, in the case of shooting in the verticalshooting attitude, i.e., in a 90-degree attitude, the current Ix1 andthe current Iy2 respectively passing through the coil 24 x and the coil24 y of the image blurring compensation mechanism 20 are detected by theyawing current value detection section 14 x and the pitching currentvalue detection section 14 y, respectively.

Based on the values the currents, the microcomputer 3 can determine thatthe attitude of the digital camera 1 is the vertical shooting attitude.In this situation, when the photographer presses the shutter operationsection 36, the object is shot. An image of the shot object is recordedin the image recording section 12. In this case, the image recordingcontrol section 11 adds an attitude determination signal 61 (1) to animage signal outputted from the buffer memory 9, the attitudedetermination signal 61 (1) indicating that the shooting attitude of thedigital camera 1 is the vertical shooting attitude which is obtained bybeing rotated about the optical axis AX by 90 degrees from thehorizontal shooting attitude.

Next, a case where a moving object is followed and consecutively shotwill be described. The photographer operates the MENU setting operationsection 39 and causes a screen of various menus to be displayed on thedisplay section 55. Then, from among the various menus in the screenhaving been displayed, a consecutive shooting mode is selected. At theresult, the digital camera 1 is shifted to an image recording mode, andthe microcomputer 3 then determines the mode as the consecutive shootingmode.

In the case where consecutive shooting is performed by panning in thehorizontal direction toward the right, the microcomputer 3 determines,based on an example shown in above-described FIG. 4, a signal from theangular velocity sensor 17 as the panning mode signal 60 (1). In asimilar manner, in the case of panning toward the left, the panning modesignal 60 (2) is determined. In the case of panning toward an upperdirection, the panning mode signal 60 (3) is determined. In the case ofpanning toward a lower direction, the panning mode signal 60 (6) isdetermined. And, in the case panning toward one of diagonal directions,corresponding one of the panning mode signals 60 (4), 60 (5), 60 (7),and 60 (8) is determined. The image recording control section 11 addsthe panning mode signal 60 together with the attitude determinationsignal 61 to the image signal outputted from the buffer memory 9.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, a managing method of a shotimage file will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, a shot image folder 90is created in the internal memory 50 or in the removable memory 51. In ahierarchy under the shot image folder 90, a consecutively shot imagefolder 91 and a normal image folder 92 are created. Further, in ahierarchy under the consecutively shot image folder 91, consecutivelyshot image folders #1, #2, #3 . . . are created, whereas in a hierarchyunder the normal image folder 92, a horizontal image folder 93 a and avertical image folder 93 b are created. The consecutively shot imagefolder #1, #2, #3 . . . are identified by reference characters 94 a, 94b, 94 c . . . , which are each composed of a numerical code, 94, and analphabetical suffix added thereto.

A series of images shot in the consecutive shooting mode is stored inthe consecutively shot image folders #1 (94 a), #2 (94 b), #3 (94 c) . .. as image files 95 a, 95 b, 95 c . . . together with the attitudeinformation and the panning mode signal 60. On the other hand, in thenormal shooting mode, the shot images are stored, as an image file 96,either in the horizontal image folder 93 a or in the vertical imagefolder 93 b. In the horizontal image folder 93 a, a horizontal imagefile 96 a is stored, and in the vertical image folder 93 b, a verticalimage file 96 b is stored.

FIG. 10 shows a flow of operations from the start of recording to theend of recording of a shot image. First, the photographer presses theMENU setting operation section 39 so as to record a shot image, andcauses the screen of the various menus to the displayed on the displaysection 55. “Image recording” is selected from the displayed screen ofthe various menus. Accordingly, the digital camera 1 is shifted to animage recording mode (step S1).

Next, the microcomputer 3 determines the shooting mode. Themicrocomputer 3 determines which mode, either the consecutive shootingmode or the normal shooting mode, the photographer has selected (stepS2).

In the case where the photographer has selected the consecutive shootingmode, the microcomputer 3 adds 1 to a variable N, whose initial value is0 (step S3). A consecutively shot image folder #N is set as a recordingdirectory in which the shot image is to be recorded (step S4).

The attitude and the panning mode of the digital camera 1 are thendetected (step S5). Next, pressing of the shutter operation section 36is waited for (step S6), and in the case where the same is pressed, theattitude information and the panning mode information are recorded (stepS7), and then shooting is performed (step S8). Thereafter, whether ornot the shutter is continuously pressed is detected (step S9).

In the case where the shutter is continuously pressed, shooting isperformed consecutively, whereas in the case where the same is not beingpressed, recording of the shot images ends. In this case, the shotimages are stored in the consecutively shot image folder #1, #2 . . . ,as the image file 95 a, 95 b . . . .

On the other hand, in the case where it is determined that thephotographer has selected a normal shooting mode (step S2), themicrocomputer 3 sets a normal image folder 92 as a recording directoryin which the shot image is to be recorded (step S10). The attitude ofthe digital camera 1 is then determined by the shooting attitudedetection section 14A (step S11). Further, in the case of shooting inthe horizontal shooting attitude, the horizontal image folder 93 a isset as a folder in which the shot image is to be stored (step S15).

On the other hand, in the case of shooting in the vertical shootingattitude, the vertical image folder 93 b is set as the folder in whichthe shot image is to be stored (step S12). Next, the pressing of theshutter operation section 36 is waited for (step S13), and in the casewhere the same is pressed, shooting is performed (step S14). Thereafter,recording ends. In this case, the shot images are stored in thehorizontal image folder 93 a and the vertical image folder 93 b, as ahorizontal image file 96 a and a vertical image file 96 b, respectively.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, a display method for causing thedisplay section 55 to display an image obtained by shooting with thedigital camera 1 will be described. First, in order to cause the displaysection 55 to display the shot image, the power switch 35 is turned ON,and then the shooting/reproduction switching operation section 37 isturned to the reproduction mode. When an image is selected by using thecross operation key 38 from images which are displayed in thumbnailedform, one of shot images can be displayed on the display section 55. Atthat time, with respect to the display method of the shot image, theimage display control section 13 controls an image to be displayed inaccordance with the attitude determination signal 61 which is recordedat the time of shooting.

To the image shot in the horizontal shooting attitude, 0 is added as theattitude determination signal 61 at the time of shooting. As shown inFIG. 11( a), the image display control section 13 controls the shotimage such that the shot image is to be displayed on the display section55 after the angle of the shot image has been restored to the sameattitude as that at the time of the shooting.

On the other hand, to the image shot in the vertical shooting attitude,1 is added as the attitude determination signal 61. Therefore, as shownin FIG. 11( b), the image display control section 13 controls the shotimage such that the shot image is to be displayed on the display section55 after the angle of the shot image has been rotated by 90 degrees,that is, after the angle of the shot image has been restored to the sameangle as that at the time of the shooting.

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary case where shot images are displayed inthumbnailed form on the display section 55 in order of shooting date andtime. On the display section 55, a list of nine thumbnail images, fromnumber 1 to number 9, are displayed. Numbers 1, 2, and 9 are thumbnailimages of images shot in the normal mode, numbers 1 and 2 are thumbnailimages horizontally shot, and number 9 is a thumbnail image verticallyshot. Numbers 3 to 5 and numbers 6 to 8 are images each shot in theconsecutive shooting mode. As above described, the horizontally shotimages are recorded with 0 which is the attitude determination signal 61added thereto and indicates that the shooting attitude is rotated aboutthe optical axis AX by 0 degrees from the horizontal shooting attitude.

Therefore, the horizontal thumbnail images are displayed in a state ofthe horizontal shooting attitude in accordance with the attitudedetermination signal 61. On the other hand, the vertical thumbnailimages of number 9 are recorded with 1 which is the attitudedetermination signal 61 added thereto and indicates that the shootingattitude is rotated about the optical axis AX by 90 degrees from thehorizontal shooting attitude. Therefore, the vertical thumbnail imagesare rotated about the optical axis AX by 90 degrees with respect to thehorizontal thumbnail image and then displayed in accordance with thisattitude determination signal 61. When each of the thumbnail images isselected from among these thumbnail images by using the cross operationkey 38, the each of the shot images may be enlarged one by one.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 13, 14, and 15, a method for displayingonly the consecutively shot images, or only the horizontally shotimages, or only the vertically shot images on the display section 55 inthumbnailed form will be described. FIG. 13 shows an exemplary imageselection menu displayed on the display section 55, FIG. 14 shows thedisplay section 55 in the case where only consecutively shot imageshaving been selected are displayed thereon, and FIG. 15 shows thedisplay section 55 in the case where only the horizontally shot imagesor only the vertically shot images are displayed thereon in thumbnailedform. After the shooting/reproduction switching operation section 37 isturned to the reproduction mode, when the user presses the MENU settingoperation section 39, the image selection menu 65 is displayed on thedisplay section 55.

In the case where only the consecutively shot images 1 are to bedisplayed, the user selects a selection button 65 a for selecting theconsecutively shot images 1, whereby the microcomputer 3 and the imagedisplay control section 13 extract only the images in the consecutivelyshot image folder #1 which is created in a hierarchy under the shotimage folder 90. The extracted images are displayed on the displaysection 55 each at an appropriate angle in accordance with attitude andpanning mode information recorded together therewith.

FIG. 14( a) shows an exemplary display of consecutively shot images 1which are consecutively shot through panning from the right to the leftin a state of the horizontal attitude. In the same example, the attitudedetermination signal 61 is recorded as (0), and the panning mode signal60 is recorded as (2). As a result, the consecutively shot images arearranged from the right to the left.

FIG. 14( b) shows an exemplary display of consecutively shot images 2which are consecutively shot through diagonal panning toward the upperright in a state of the horizontal attitude. In the same example, theattitude determination signal 61 is recorded as (0), and the panningmode signal 60 is recorded as (4). As a result, the consecutively shotimages are arranged diagonally from the bottom left to the upper right.In this manner, it is possible to realize an easily viewable thumbnaildisplay which corresponds to an actual shooting scene.

In the case where only the horizontally shot images are to be displayed,in response to the user's pressing of the horizontal image selectionbutton 65 c, the microcomputer 3 and the image display control section13 extract only those images in the horizontal image folder 93 a whichis created in the hierarchy under the shot image folder 90, and causethe display section 55 to display the horizontal thumbnail images inorder of extraction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15( a), only thehorizontal thumbnail images are displayed on the display section 55.

On the other hand, in the case where only the shot images in thevertical shooting attitude are to be displayed, in response to theuser's pressing of the vertical image selection button 65 d, themicrocomputer 3 and the image display control section 13 extract imageswhich are shot in the vertical shooting attitude and stored in thevertical image folder 93 b which is created in the hierarchy under theshot image folder 90, and cause the vertical thumbnail images to bedisplayed on the display section 55 in order of extraction. As a result,as shown in FIG. 15( b), only the vertical thumbnail images aredisplayed on the display section 55.

As above described, with respect to each of consecutive shootingoperations or each of shooting attitudes, the digital camera 1 storesshot images in the folders which are created for the each of consecutiveshooting operations and for the each of the shooting attitudes.Accordingly, it is possible to easily extract only the consecutivelyshot images, or only the horizontally shot images, or only thevertically shot images. In the case where the consecutively shot imagesare displayed, the shot images are arranged in a manner corresponding tothe motion of the digital camera 1 during shooting and displayed on thedisplay section 55.

During the consecutive shooting, The shooting attitude and the panningmode of the digital camera 1 according to embodiment 1 are detected bythe image blurring compensation mechanism 20. Then, the attitudedetermination signal 61 corresponding to each attitude, and the panningmode signal 60 corresponding to each mode are recorded together witheach of the consecutively shot images. The normally shot images areseparated into each of the shooting attitudes in accordance with theattitude determination signal 61, and then recorded.

Further, when the shot images are reproduced, by using the imageselection means (the image selection menu 65, the horizontal imageselection button 65 c, and the vertical image selection button 65 d),the images which have been shot in a given consecutive shootingoperation or have been shot in a given attitude are extracted. Further,on the display section 55, images which have been shot in the sameconsecutive shooting operation or have been shot in the same shootingattitude can be displayed. Accordingly, the consecutively shot imagesare not mixed with vertical and horizontal shot images and are arrangedin a manner corresponding to a motion during the shooting, whereby it ispossible to provided the photographer with a convenient thumbnaildisplay.

In the present embodiment, although an angular velocity signal from theangular velocity sensor is used for detecting the panning mode, a signaloutputted from a pitching or a yawing control section may be used.

In the present embodiment, in the case where the attitude of the digitalcamera is detected by using the image blurring compensation mechanism,there may be a case where currents supplied to a coil in the yawingdirection and to a coil in the pitching direction become equal to eachother when the digital camera is held in some attitudes. For example,there are a case where shooting is performed by the photographer in anattitude in which the optical axis direction of the digital camera andthe gravity direction are parallel with each other, and a case where theshooting is performed in an attitude in which, although the optical axisdirection of the digital camera and the gravity direction areperpendicular to each other, the digital camera is rotated about theoptical axis AX within a predetermined range, or the like. As described,in the case where the attitude is not detected by the image blurringcompensation device, the shot images may be regarded as being shot inthe horizontal shooting attitude, and accordingly each have a value 1 ofthe attitude determination signal 61 added thereto. Alternatively, basedon a setting by the photographer, the shot images may be regarded asbeing shot in the vertical shooting attitude, and accordingly each havea value 0 of the attitude determination signal 61 added thereto.

In the present embodiment, although the shooting attitude is determinedby detecting both current values of the pitching current value detectionsection and the yawing current value detection section, the shootingattitude can be specified by detecting at least one of the currentvalues. Accordingly, as described in the present embodiment, even in thecase where either of the pitching current value detection section or theyawing current value detection section malfunctions, the shootingattitude can be determined accurately since both of the current valuesare detected.

As above described, the shooting attitude may be determined not onlybased on the current values detected by the pitching current valuedetection section and/or the yawing current value detection section. Forexample, a similar effect can be obtained through measurement of voltagevalues.

Embodiment 2

With reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, an imaging device according toembodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. The imagingdevice according to the present embodiment (not shown) is configuredapproximately in the same manner as the digital camera 1 according toembodiment 1. Therefore, those points which are different from thedigital camera 1 according to embodiment 1 will be describedspecifically.

As shown in FIG. 16( a), in the imaging device according to the presentembodiment, in the case where images shot in a horizontal shootingattitude are thumbnail-displayed, a list of nine thumbnail images isdisplayed on a display section 55. On the other hand, in the case whereimages shot in the vertical shooting attitude are displayed inthumbnailed form, a list of six thumbnail images is displayed on thedisplay section 55, as shown in FIG. 16( b). Therefore, in a verticaldirection of the display section 55, three horizontal thumbnail imagesor two vertical thumbnail images are displayed. In a horizontaldirection of the display section 55, three horizontal thumbnail imagesor three vertical thumbnail images are displayed.

In this manner, the number of the vertical thumbnail images displayed onthe display section 55 (hereinafter referred to as the “number ofdisplayed images”) is lower than the number of displayed horizontalthumbnail images. Accordingly, it is possible to display verticalthumbnail images at a larger size than a conventional size of thevertical thumbnail image. Further, when the thumbnail images aredisplayed in an enlarged manner, black bars displayed on the left andright of each of the thumbnail images can be removed, whereby an easilyviewable and convenient thumbnail display can be provided.

Next, a method for displaying the shot images in thumbnailed form,according to the present embodiment, will be described. First, a userturns a shooting/reproduction switching operation section 37 of thedigital camera 1 to a reproduction mode, and then presses a MENU settingoperation section 39. At the result, an image selection menu 65 as shownin FIG. 13 is displayed on the display section 55. In the case whereonly the shot images which are in the horizontal shooting attitude areto be displayed, the user selects and operates the horizontal imageselection button 65 c. A microcomputer 3 and an image display controlsection 13 extract images in a horizontal image folder 93 a which is ina hierarchy under a shot image folder 90, and cause respective thumbnailimages to be displayed on the display section 55 in order of extraction.In this case, the image display control section 13 controls the displaysuch that a list of nine thumbnail images is to be displayed on thedisplay section 55.

On the other hand, in the case where only the shot images which are inthe vertical shooting attitude are to be displayed, the user selects andoperates the vertically oriented image selection button 65 d. Themicrocomputer 3 and the image display control section 13 extract imagesin the vertical image folder 93 b which is in the hierarchy under theshot image folder 90, and cause respective thumbnail images to bedisplayed on the display section 55 in order of extraction. In thiscase, the image display control section 13 controls the display suchthat a list of six thumbnail images is to be displayed on the displaysection 55.

As above described, the imaging device according to the presentembodiment not only attains the effects obtained by the imaging deviceaccording to embodiment 1 but also reduces, based on the control by theimage display control section 13, the number of thumbnail images to bedisplayed on the display section 55, compared to the number of thethumbnail images of the shot images which are shot in the horizontalshooting attitude, when the shot images which have been shot in thevertical shooting attitude are displayed in thumbnailed form. Therefore,it is possible to display the images shot in the vertical attitude in aconvenient manner.

Further, even in the case where the vertical thumbnail images and thehorizontal thumbnail images are mixed, a horizontal display range of thevertically shot image can be increased to be approximately equal to thatof the horizontally shot images, as shown in FIG. 17. Since a displaysize of the vertical thumbnail images can be increased with respect to asize of the horizontal thumbnail images, it is possible to provide aneasily viewable and convenient thumbnail display.

Embodiment 3

With reference to FIG. 18, an imaging device according to embodiment 3of the present invention will be described. The imaging device accordingto the present embodiment (not shown) is configured approximately in thesame manner as the digital camera 1, which is an imaging deviceaccording to each of embodiment 1 and embodiment 2. However, the imagingdevice according to the present embodiment is different from thoseaccording to embodiment 1 and embodiment 2 in that the imaging deviceaccording to the present embodiment causes, based on attitudeinformation at the time of shooting, an external display device which isconnected to the imaging device to display a shot image and a reducedimage.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, the shot images which are recorded inan image recording section of the digital camera 1 together with theattitude information and panning mode information are displayed on adisplay device 70 such as a television monitor via a cable 75. As thecable 75, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable may be used. Imagesdisplayed on the display device 70 are controlled by the image displaycontrol section 13 of the digital camera 1. Thus, the images, in whichrespective angles at the time of shooting are restored, and thumbnailimages thereof can be displayed on the external display device in amanner similar to those of embodiment 1 and embodiment 2.

As above described, in the case where the display section 55 is notprovided to the digital camera 1, or in the case where a display size ofthe shot image is to be enlarged, with an operation of the digitalcamera 1, an image having an attitude and a panning mode at the time ofshooting reflected thereon can be displayed on the external televisionmonitor or the like in a manner similar to those of embodiment 1 andembodiment 2. Therefore, it is possible to provide a highly convenientimaging device and a display device, which allows an easily viewable andconvenient thumbnail display.

In the present embodiment, the external display device is exemplified bythe television monitor, but is not limited there to. For example, theimaging device may be connected to a personal computer having a monitorconnected thereto via a cable and cause the monitor to display the shotimage.

In the present embodiment, the cable 75 is exemplified by the USB cable,but is not limited thereto. For example, an IEEE1394 serial bus cablemay be used instead of the cable 75. Wireless connection such as awireless LAN or the like may be adopted.

Embodiment 4

With reference to FIG. 19, an imaging device and a printing deviceaccording to embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described.The imaging device according to the present embodiment (not shown) isconfigured approximately in the same manner as the digital camera 1according to each of embodiment 1 and embodiment 2. However, the imagingdevice according to the present embodiment is different from thoseaccording to embodiment 1 and embodiment 2 in that the imaging deviceaccording to the present embodiment causes, based on attitudeinformation at the time of shooting, an external printing deviceconnected to the imaging device to print a shot image and a reducedimage. As shown in FIG. 18, the shot image recorded in an imagerecording section 12 of the digital camera 1 together with the attitudeinformation and panning mode information is transmitted to a printingdevice 71 via a cable 76 and then printed. As the cable 76, a USB(Universal Serial Bus) cable is used as an example. Since an imageprinted by the printing device 71 is controlled by the image displaycontrol section 13 in a manner similar to those of embodiment 1 andembodiment 2, an image in which an attitude at the time of shooting isrestored and a thumbnail image thereof can be printed through anexternal printing device.

According to the above-described configuration, a user operates thedigital camera 1 to reflect the attitude and the panning mode at thetime of shooting on the image in a manner similar to those of embodiment1 and embodiment 2. Since the reflected image can be printed, it ispossible to provide a highly convenient imaging device and a printingdevice which allows an easily viewable and convenient thumbnailprinting.

In the present embodiment, the external printing device is exemplifiedby an example of a printer directly connected, but is not limitedthereto. For example, the imaging device may be connected to a personalcomputer having a printer connected thereto via a cable.

In the present embodiment, the cable 76 is exemplified by the USB cable,but is not limited thereto. For example, an IEEE1394 serial bus cablemay be used instead of the cable 75. Wireless connection such as awireless LAN or the like may be adopted.

Embodiment 5

With reference to FIG. 20, a display control device, a print controldevice, and a display/print control device according to embodiment 5 ofthe present invention will be described. A digital camera 1 according tothe present embodiment is configured approximately in the same manner asthose according to embodiment 1 and embodiment 2. However, in thepresent embodiment, a display control, which is performed by the digitalcamera 1 in each of above-described embodiment 1 and embodiment 2, isperformed by a display control device 82. The display control device 82is realized by a personal computer having image processing software,monitor, and the like, for example. An image shot by the digital camera1 is recorded together with a reduced image and attitude information ina removable memory 51 such as a detachable memory card.

The removable memory 51 is not limited to the memory card, but may be ahard disc, an optical disc, and the like. The shot image is displayed onthe display control device 82 which includes a removable memory readingdevice 81 operable to read the removable memory 51 and a display device70. Display of an image to be displayed on the display device iscontrolled by the display control device 82, in a manner similar tothose of embodiment 1 and embodiment 2, in accordance with the attitudeinformation and panning mode information recorded in the removablememory 51.

According to the above-described configuration, the display controldevice 82 according to the present embodiment reads a shot image, areduced image, and the attitude information, which are obtained by thedigital camera 1, from the removable memory 51 storing these images andinformation. The display control device 82 then displays, on a displaydevice, an image having the attitude and the panning mode information atthe time of shooting reflected thereon and a thumbnail image thereof inaccordance with the attitude information, which are described inembodiment 1 and embodiment 2.

As shown in FIG. 20, even in the case where the shot image is printedthrough the print control device 83 having the removable memory readingdevice 81, or even in the case where the display/print control device 84is connected to the display device 70 for displaying, or connected tothe printing device 71 for printing, a similar effect can be obtained.

The present embodiment is exemplified by a case where the display devicehaving the removable memory reading device 81, the printing device, andthe display/print control device are used, but is not limited thereto.For example, a reading device such as a memory card reader or the likewhich is operable to read the removable memory 51, the display/printcontrol device, the display device, and the printing device may beconnected to one another.

Embodiment 1 to embodiment 3 exemplify a case where the reduced image isused for a thumbnail display, but are not limited thereto. For example,the reduced image may be used for a display on a split screen which isobtained by dividing a screen of the display section into two or three.As a result, it is possible to provide a convenient reduced imagedisplay and a split screen display in the same manner as the thumbnaildisplay.

Embodiment 1 to embodiment 3 exemplify a case where the image blurringcompensation mechanism 20 is used as means for the attitude detectionand for the panning mode detection, but are not limited thereto. Forexample, an angular sensor, a rotation detection device, or the like maybe coupled to the digital camera 1, whereby it may be possible to detectthe shooting attitude of the digital camera 1.

Embodiment 1 to embodiment 3 exemplify a case where the imaging devicehaving one shutter operation section 36 is used, but are not limitedthereto. For example, a shutter operation section for shooting in thehorizontal shooting attitude, and a shutter operation section forshooting in the vertical shooting attitude are separately provided, andthe shooting attitude may be determined based on the used shutteroperation sections.

Embodiment 1 to embodiment 3 exemplify a case where an shooting attitudewhich is rotated about the optical axis AX by 90 degrees from thehorizontal shooting attitude, which is set as 0 degree, is regarded asthe vertical shooting attitude. However, a similar effect may beobtained in the case where an attitude is rotated by −90 degrees.Further, a value of the attitude determination signal 61 for theattitude which is rotated by −90 degrees is set to 2, whereby it may bepossible to detect total of three types of attitudes, i.e., one type ofthe horizontal attitude and two types of the vertical attitudes.

Embodiment 1 to embodiment 3 exemplify a case where the signal 0 or 1 isadded, as the value of the attitude determination signal 61, but are notlimited thereto. For example, a signal may be added only in the case ofthe vertical shooting attitude may be adopted. Further, instead of amethod in which the attitude determination signal 61 is recorded in theshot image, a method, in which the attitude determination signal 61 isrecorded in a file different from the shot image, and the shot image andthe file having recording the attitude determination signal 61 areinterrelated with each other, may be adopted.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

An imaging device, a display control device, and a display device of thepresent invention are applicable to a digital still camera, a digitalvideo camera, a camera-equipped cellular phone or PDA, a DVD recorder,hard disc recorder, and the like which are all required for a convenientdisplay relating to a method for displaying a shot image.

1. An imaging device for outputting an optical image of an object as anelectrical image signal, the imaging device comprising: a display unitfor displaying an image in accordance with the electrical image signal;an imaging optical system for forming the optical image of the object;an imaging unit for receiving the optical image which is formed by theimaging optical system and for converting the optical image into theelectrical image signal; a motion detection unit for detecting a motionof the imaging device during consecutive shooting; and an image displaycontrol unit for causing the display unit to display the image, obtainedby the imaging unit, in relation to the motion of the imaging device,wherein the image display control unit causes the display unit todisplay an image obtained through the consecutive shooting such that afirst direction in which the image obtained through the consecutiveshooting is displayed substantially corresponds to a second direction inwhich the imaging device traveled during the consecutive shooting.